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Summer is here and its time to enjoy the great outdoors with your friends, family, and of course your beloved pets! While we all love this time of the year, the summer sun can be very dangerous for pets.

Sun Protection

Who knew an animal needed sun block? A pet's fur helps protect them from the harsh rays, but it doesn't offer complete protection. Animals with pink skin, light hair color, and also short hair are more prone to sunburns than other animals. When going outside rub a little sun block on your pet's nose, tips of ears, and skin around the lips.

Avoiding Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a very common and dangerous condition that affects a vast majority of animals. Heatstroke occurs when an animal's body gains more heat than it can get rid of. This triggers a chemical reaction in the body, which leads to dehydration, thickening of the blood, strain on the heart, blood clotting, and in extreme cases, death. Animals are actually more susceptible to heat stroke than are humans because of fur and the inability to sweat out heat.

Water Safety

Most pets love playing in the water. Just like children, pets need to be closely supervised when around pools, lakes, or oceans. Pets (mainly dogs) are susceptible to drowning, serious injuries, skin irritations, and even death when around open water.

Preventing Water Mishaps:

-An easy way to keep your pet safe is to buy them a life jacket. Even the best of swimmers need one!

-Never throw your pet into water; some pets are bad swimmers, while others can't swim at all!

-Help your pet in and out of the water. Some pets have difficulty climbing  up ladders and ramps. Consider purchasing ramps especially made for  animals to get in and out of a pool or boat.

-Pool chemicals can be harmful to your pet's skin, so be sure to rinse them after a dip!

-Drinking salt water can be dangerous to your pet's health. Bring plenty of fresh water if you're planning a trip to the beach!

Signs of Heatstroke
• Rapid, Frantic Panting
• Wide Eyes
• Thick Saliva
• Bright Red Tongue
• Vomiting
• Staggering
• Diarrhea
• Coma

Heat Stroke First Aid
COOL YOUR DOG DOWN! Give them water (but be careful of how much they drink), hose them off, put them in cool (not cold) water, get them into air conditioning and/or place cool rags on their neck, head, tummy, and between their legs. Remember heat stroke is deadly, so get your pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Preventing Heat Stroke:
• Never leave your dog in the car...not  even for a brief moment! Temperatures can rise to 120F in less than 10 minutes.
• For dogs that live outside, provide them with plenty of water, shade, and possibly a wading pool.
• Always make sure your dog has plenty  of cool water (and ice cubes)!
• Trim and clip your pets coat to a 1 inch  length.
• Do not exercise with your dog on hot  days.
• Let your dog play outdoors in the early  morning or late evening.